SAN Ogala

In a compelling engagement that drew participation from across the world, the Renewed Hope Global Town Hall Virtual Conference once again demonstrated its growing influence and national relevance. The highlight of this edition was the appearance of Hon. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, Senior Counsel to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who delivered a masterclass on the legal and constitutional underpinnings of two of the most topical issues in Nigeria’s current governance discourse: the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the ongoing battle for financial autonomy for Local Governments.

Addressing a global audience, Ogala, the renowned constitutional lawyer and political strategist laid bare the statutory grounds for the President’s actions. He explained that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides the legal framework for the declaration of a State of Emergency, with built-in safeguards requiring publication in the government gazette and ratification by two-thirds of the National Assembly. He affirmed that President Tinubu strictly adhered to these constitutional requirements, and cited the Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025 ruling affirming a breakdown of governance in Rivers State as a pivotal moment in the ongoing political standoff. Drawing from history, Ogala cited similar constitutional precedents: from President Obasanjo’s declarations in Plateau and Ekiti States in 2004 and 2006, to President Jonathan’s action against Boko Haram in 2013. These, he argued, offered solid justification for Tinubu’s move to restore order and lawful governance in Rivers.

Turning to the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas, Ogala outlined the President’s bold legal intervention in seeking Supreme Court clarity. The recent ruling reinforced that federal allocations meant for local governments must bypass state intermediaries and be disbursed directly to the LGAs. This, Ogala said, will significantly deepen grassroots democracy and reduce administrative bottlenecks. He also emphasized that state governments should allocate additional funding from their internally generated revenues to empower local governance and development.

In response to questions about constitutional term limits, Ogala provided insight into a crucial amendment designed to prevent any leader from holding office more than twice. Using the example of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State—who first completed the tenure of the late Governor Akeredolu and is now serving his own elected term—Ogala explained that the Constitution now limits any such leader to one full additional term. This amendment was inspired by the 2015 Goodluck Jonathan scenario, where the former President, having completed President Yar’Adua’s term and secured election once, could potentially have run for a third time had he won. The law now clearly prevents that possibility.

The presence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside senior presidential officials, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to participatory governance. Conference attendees included notable figures such as Lady Oyinda Ogala and Hon. Olamide Ajomale, as well as influential members of the diaspora, community leaders, and legal minds who engaged in thought-provoking dialogue.

The conference continues to play a critical role in demystifying policy, combating misinformation, and promoting civic awareness.